OSPREYS SNATCH LAST-GASP WIN

The 22-20 win against a weakened Leinster side shorn of their British Lions was too close for comfort for the majority of the 10,131 crowd at the region's new home. Had it not been for the cool head of fly-half Matthew Jones, whose kick deep into injury time sealed the win, the reigning Celtic League champions would have finished the match with just a solitary bonus point.

The omens had looked positive when Andrew Bishop charged down a Rob Kearney clearance to touchdown after only 19 seconds. Jones converted to give the home side the perfect start to the new campaign. The Wales U21 Grand Slam winner was then at fault for missing an easy three pointer before his counterpart Felipe Contepomi showed him how it should be done to bring the deficit back to just four.

Then from a line-out deep in Leinster territory, Ospreys skipper Barry Williams pushed and pulled to eventually drop over the whitewash for his side's second try and a 14-9 lead. Three Contepomi penalties either side of the interval made it only a two point margin following Lyndon Bateman's yellow card for killing the ball.

Ospreys new signing Leigh Davies then came off the bench to set up another score out wide for centre Bishop. Despite Jones's conversion miss, the game appeared to be won. However, a Girvan Dempsey break and Kearney score swung the match for the visitors.

Contepomi then slotted over what looked to be the winning penalty kick for the visitors before Jones came to the rescue.

Wales and Ospreys back row James King, who came through the North Wales age grade system, nominated North Wales Regional Community Rugby Manager Marc Roberts, in the WRU's 'Diolch' initiative where squad players thanked those who played a part in their rise to the top.

Beating Merthyr has boosted Carmarthen Quins hopes of reaching a top eight spot in the Principality Premiership. Quins captain Haydn Pugh is delighted with his team's progress and is determined that everyone from the Under 6s through to the senior team, enjoys the ride.

When the Wales squad were asked to nominate individuals who played a big part in their early playing days, Wales and Dragons full back and wing Hallam Amos thought of his former Monmouth School rugby coach John Bevan.

Sam Cross and Luke Treharne have been named as co-captains of the Wales Sevens side as head coach Gareth Williams names his 12-man squad to play in the first leg of the HSBC World Series in Dubai next weekend.

Bedwas head coach Steve Law and players Nicky Griffiths and Alun Rees extol the virtues of the close knit club as they prepare to host third place RGC 1404 - who are one place head of them on the Principality Premiership points table - on Saturday.

Many of the Wales squad have said Diolch (thank you) to someone who played an important part in their early playing days by nominating them to be invited to the Wales v South Africa match. One person, Gowerton Comprehensive geography teacher Mr Dean Mason was nominated by two of his former pupils, Dan Biggar and Sam Davies.

The second WRU disability rugby pilot has been delivered, this time in Caerphilly schools, culminating in a festival at the Caerphilly Centre of Sporting Excellence, Ystrad Mynach tomorrow. Plans are in place to set up a Disability Rugby Club in Newbridge to provide long-term playing opportunities.

WRU TV: Hear from inside the Wales camp as Neil Jenkins discusses this weekend's clash with South Africa and how the squad are looking to put in a strong performance to round of the 2016 Under Armour Series